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Raspberry Pi - a favorite among techies, DIYers, and educators, AND Hams!

Writer's picture: Bill PowellBill Powell

Updated: Jul 12, 2024

A lot of Hams are familiar with single board computers (SBCs) called Raspberry Pi and for a good reason. The Pi is (for its size) a powerful computer that is quite capable of doing so many things desktops and laptops can do. The cool thing is a lot of the software for the Pi is free and in the public domain. RPi units can be configured exactly the way you want them to be. Hams can set up the Pi to perform many tasks for activities they are interested in. A brief search on YouTube and you will find many applications for the RPi.


At first you may think setting up and using a Pi is too technical, but within a short time you will get familiar enough with the setup, operations, and applications. YouTube University can be very helpful here.


You may believe the RPi is expensive, but that is not really the case. Currently on Amazon a Raspberry Pi 4B from 2019 is just over $60. The 4B is a Quad Core 64-bit processor. It is bluetooth capable, network capable (wireless & ethernet), has 2 HDMI outputs, audio output, 4 GB of memory, and 4 USB outputs. There are also 2 and 8 GB versions. All you really need to add is a micro SD memory card and a power supply you are ready to set up and start using the unit. You only have to load the operating system onto the SD card, boot it up, and get to work.


You can also go the route of buying a starter kit that contains the Pi 4 and several other components: power supply, 64 GB SD card preloaded with the operating system, case, HDMI cables, fan, and heat sinks. Currently there is a nice started kit on Amazon for $120.



Finally you can add a monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse to make it into a full-blown stand-alone system if desired. One of my units has a 7” monitor that also serves a the case for my RPi 4. The screen is a little small, but it is very readable. I plug the unit into a larger monitor when I am going to use it for an extended period.


You don’t really have to have a keyboard and mouse to use the system. You can remotely login to the RPi and use it from your PC or laptop (or Mac). I highly recommend getting a USB keyboard and mouse for use. You can get them both for around $30.


Now, the RPi operating system is Linux which is like Unix (used a lot in the IT world). Linux comes in many flavors and is open source supported by volunteers all over the world. You will be surprised at how reliable Linux is and how easy it is to keep it up to date and safe/secure.

A lot of the applications like word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, programming languages are easily installed and used once the system is configured. The desktop is very similar to your PC or laptop desktop and can easily be navigated after a short familiarization period.


The Raspberry Pi 5 recently came out and seems to be a big improvement over the Models 3 & 4, but the Pi 5 is more expensive. Around $100 for the Pi only and around $160 for a starter kit. I do not own a RPi 5, but maybe in the future. The Model 4 is good enough for now, at least for me.


Nearby pictures: RPi 4 with clear case, RPi monitor with the Pi installed behind the 7” screen, and RPi mouse and keyboard.


If you are interested in learning more about the RPi or maybe even getting one set up for yourself, let me know. I am willing to help you with initial setup and getting up and running. I am not an expert, but I have set up several RPi’s. Right now I am in the process of setting up an AllStar node with a Raspberry Pi. Just waiting for some necessary hardware that should get here in a couple weeks.


Contact me if you have questions. I will help if I can. // Bill, W9WRP

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k9hdu
12 jul 2024

Again, a great article, Bill. I wish I connected with you before I left Arizona.

Gary

K9hdu

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Miembro desconocido
12 jul 2024
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Coming back? If so I will be here and can help.

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